Reaching the river, I began a slow wander, following the meandering path of the Ouse, a lone Swallow flew speedily past, its long tail streamers helping to guide its flight along the rivers course. Stopping to watch a couple of large Pike as they lay motionless on the stony bottom of the fast moving water, looking very weed like as they awaited passing prey, down stream another fish predator a Little Egret danced and prodded the water also hunting for the small fry of the Ouse.
As my journey took me towards the cattle creep, I took a quick foray up into the old lock area, finding myself chasing around the small triangle of scrub and blackthorn, being led on a merry dance by a very mobile, male, Common Whitethroat as it sang from the highest reaches of various bushes, or took to the air in its parachuting flight songs.
Farm Pits
Finally arriving at the Western hide I began my first scans of the main farm pits, skipping across nesting Canada Geese and Mallards, my eyes were drawn to a lone Common Sandpiper, slowly bobbing along the edge of the distant island. Overhead a party 4 Common Tern screeched through, powering past on long elegant wings, in the air they were accompanied by small groups of Common Swift, their scimitar shaped wings cutting through the skies at remarkable speeds, really living up to their name.
From the main hide the first Ringed Plover of the summer sat huddled at the edge of the rippling water, while two of their very closely related cousins, Little Ringed Plover, flew about the reserve, their strange half whistling call echoing about the open spaces. Several Lapwings defended their territory from interloping Crows and Rooks, taking to flight at the merest hint of a corvid entering the air space.
The regular Redshank piped away across the water from the hide, while several Pied Wagtail flew in and out of the island directly in front of the hide. A Brief visit from a female Yellow Wagtail brightened things up for the few moments that it put in an appearance.
Eastern Pits
After leaving the main hide I headed east, checking out the farthest pits, only to find two Common Ringed Plover (so potentially there are three on the pits) and a couple more LRP, as well as a few more Common Tern and 3 Black Headed Gulls, a sight you can't always guarantee in the summer. There was little else around this end of the reserve however.
Photographing Warblers
Arriving back at the Iron Trunk Aqueduct, I paused to listen out for the local Cetti's warbler and sure enough after only a few minutes wait the loudest song of the UK burst forth from within the scrub, after a few moments searching I found the dull coloured warbler slowly pecking its way through the lower branches and dropping down to the edge of the river for a drink or to chase a fly.
Now for anyone who doesn't know the Cetti's Warbler they are notorious for being tricky to see but even garder to photograph, so I decided to spend half an hour or so attempting to capture this enigmatic "little Brown Job". As much as I watched it stayed visible but unphotographable for much of the time, always behind a branch or leaf. Eventually I managed a few OK photos including some as the bird blasted out its amazingly loud song.
While watching the Cetti's a pair of Blackcap flew in and chased my quarry off, but also allowed me the opportunity to grab a photo or two of these little grey warblers before finally heading off home.
Remaining Photos
Here are the rest of the photos from the day
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